CASE WITH INTERCHANGEABLE BACK PLATES

• US 20140128132A1
• Filed: 10/11/2013
• Published: 05/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James L. Cox III
• Original Assignee: James L. Cox III
• Inventors: Cox, James L. III
• Application Number:
  US14/051,825
• Publication Number:
  US 20140128132A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/575.8
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/00 Receptacles for purposes not provided for in groups A45C1/00-A45C9/00 specially adapted for toiletry or cosmetic equipment A45D29/20, A45D44/18; travelling sewing kits A45F3/48
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/321 combined with other articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2011/002 for portable handheld communication devices, e.g. mobile phone, pager, beeper, PDA, smart phone
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0045 comprising a plurality of separable elements which can be used independently of one another
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3888 Arrangements for carrying or protecting transceivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/185 Improving the rigidity of the casing or resistance to shocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances

Abstract

A protective case is configured to receive a mobile device and to magnetically attach to another article and includes a front face mechanically connected to a plurality of side faces (the front face and side faces for detachably connecting to a mobile device), and a back face comprising at least one magnet for magnetically coupling an article comprising at least one magnet to said protective case.

Claims

1. A protective case configured to receive a mobile device and to magnetically attach to another article, said protective case comprising:

a front face mechanically connected to a plurality of side faces, the front face and side faces for detachably connecting to a mobile device; and

a back face comprising at least one magnet for magnetically coupling an article comprising at least one magnet to said protective case.

2. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said mobile device comprises a cellular phone, smartphone, tablet computer, or laptop.

3. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said article comprises a satellite communicator, a credit-card reader, a battery pack, a compartment for storage of a key or credit card, or a decorative back plate.

4. The protective case of claim 1, wherein said article comprises a satellite communication device comprising a patch antenna, wherein the patch antenna is positioned to substantially prevent detuning of the patch antenna device when said mobile device and said satellite communication device are active.

5. The protective case of claim 1, wherein a strength of the magnetic attraction between the magnets is based on user preference.

6. The protective case of claim 1, wherein the one or more magnets are sheet magnets or discrete magnets.

7. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising mechanical means for preventing the mobile device and article from sliding relative to each other.

8. The protective case of claim 7, wherein the mechanical means comprises a lip, groove, trench, stud, or divot.

9. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising an aperture for allowing light to strike a camera lens disposed in or on the mobile device.

10. The protective case of claim 9, wherein the aperture aligns with a corresponding, larger aperture in the article.

11. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising an aperture for allowing access to a docking port disposed in or on the mobile device, wherein the article is detached from the protective case to permit docking.

12. The protective case of claim 1, wherein components in the article are disposed in a plane parallel to the back face.

13. The protective case of claim 12, wherein the components comprise a battery and a circuit board.

14. The protective case of claim 1, further comprising a second article, wherein the second article is magnetically attached to the article.

15. The protective case of claim 14, wherein the second article is a credit-card reader, communication device, or a decorative plate.

16. A protective case shaped to receive a smartphone and to secure a satellite communications device to a bottom face of said case, said case comprising:

a mechanism for securely temporarily coupling a satellite communication device having a patch antenna and a mother board to said case, said mechanism configured to position said satellite communication device relative to said smart phone to substantially prevent detuning of said antenna of said satellite communication device.

17. The protective case of claim 16, wherein the satellite communication device is secured at a location that is above the area typically held by one'"'"'s hand when on a phone call.

18. The protective case of claim 17, wherein the protective case further comprises grips for positioning a user'"'"'s hand at a location that does not cover the antenna of satellite communication device.

19. The protective case of claim 16, wherein the satellite communication device comprises an antenna and wherein a space between the antenna and an outer surface of the protective case is between 1 mm and 3 mm in size.

20. The protective case of claim 16, wherein the protective case is configured to couple to electronic devices other than the satellite communication device.